Mumped by teammates after scoring the first goal in the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024, at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. Crystal Medina in Santiago. (Photograph by Michael) Mr. Kitada (contributing photographer)
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Santiago goaltender Abigail Turley hits Santa Margarita during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. (Photo provided by Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
LONG BEACH — The Santa Margarita girls soccer team's road this winter hasn't been as smooth as it was last season.
An early loss to a south county rival, an injury to a talented freshman, and another tie on the record. Still, the Eagles continued to advance at each stage and on Friday returned to the same pitch where they celebrated a dramatic title a year ago.
And that difficult path turned out to be a bit cruel or unlucky, as they call it in soccer.
Santa Margarita's Faith George plays defense during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. , Abby Kelly of Santiago Leveling. (Photo by Michael) Mr. Kitada (contributing photographer)
Santiago's Abigail Turley stretches to make a save during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. Photography by Michael Kitada) (Contributing photographer)
Santa Margarita's Emma Newman (right) faces Santiago during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. Dribbling against Maddy Saruwatari (right). (Photo by Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Santiago's Jordan Goldstein (left) and Santa Margarita compete for the ball during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February. Margarita's Charlotte Memory (right) February 23, 2024 (Photo by Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Santiago's Crystal Medina (left) takes a header during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. Decisive, Santa Margarita's Ruby Casey (right) defends, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Santiago's Abby Kelly (left) takes a kick during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, Feb. 23, at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. , Santa Margarita's Justel David (right) attempts a block, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Santiago goaltender Abigail Turley hits Santa Margarita during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. (Photo provided by Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Santa Margarita's Justel David stays focused on the ball during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. Player (left) (Photo provided by Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Fans show their support before the start of the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February 23, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada)
Santiago Madi Sarwatari plays Santa Margarita's defense during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February 23rd. He takes a header in the middle. 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Santa Margarita's Molly McMillan, right, dribbles during the first half of the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. ) (Photo credit: Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Santiago's Sami Ruiz takes a throw-in during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach (photo) Provided by: Michael Kitada) Photographer)
Santiago's Crystal Medina, center, is lifted by teammates after receiving the championship plaque. Santa Margarita vs. Corona Santiago in the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February 23, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada)
Once the time is up, Santiago's Crystal Medina will rise into the air. Santiago defeated Santa Margarita 2-0. Santa Margarita vs. Corona Santiago in the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February 23, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada)
Santiago celebrates his victory over Santa Margarita. Santa Margarita vs. Corona Santiago in the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February 23, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada)
Santiago celebrates his victory over Santa Margarita. Santa Margarita vs. Corona Santiago in the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February 23, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada)
Santiago celebrates victory over Santa Margarita during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. (Photo provided by Michael Kitada)
Santiago players celebrate a penalty kick goal during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February 23, 2024. (Photo courtesy of :Michael Kitada))
In the 1st CIF-SS Open Division Final held at Veterans Stadium, Corona's Santiago scored on a deflection in the 9th minute and added another goal with a penalty kick early in the second half, putting Santa Margarita within two. Broke with -0.
The top-seeded Eagles (12-3-5) created more scoring chances and had a goal ruled offside, but goalie Abigail Turley and the second-seeded Sharks (23-2) (2 losses, 2 draws) and were unable to break through. ).
“The best teams won because the best teams put the ball in the back of the net and executed that moment and finished it. But to put into words to the girls what I really feel is It’s tough,” Santa Margarita sophomore Craig Bull said. “I feel like we were the better team again. They were more clinical. I think we were the better team.”
Santiago midfielder Cristal Medina scored an early rebound goal off a great cross from Bri Garcia. The cross bounced in front of the Eagles' goal and fell in front of Medina, whose shot hit a Santa Margarita defender and scored the goal.
In the second half, Madi Saruwatari, a third-year student from Santiago, pushed toward the goal with great force, earning a penalty kick and converting it.
The Sharks challenged Santa Margarita goaltender Peyton Treyer with several good scoring opportunities, but the sophomore made a diving save to stop them.
The Eagles inspired Turley, but were unable to finish off chances that were often marked by close margins.
“It was like we got a lucky goal… (and) we were the ones who created that luck,” said Santiago coach Mike Fleming, whose team extended its unbeaten streak to 16 games. “It seemed like they had some chances to kind of ping-pong, pinball right up to the little (break). … They probably feel a little unlucky.”
“But that's the game,” the coach added. “Soccer can be a cruel game sometimes.”
Santa Margarita, which won the Division 1 title last season, created its best chance after the Sharks' early attack.
University of Southern California-bound forward Faith George also had a close-range shot off a short through pass from freshman Felicity Nguyen, but it was blocked by a sliding Turley.
Santa Margarita then took the only corner kick of the first half, but Ruby Casey's header went over the goal.
Early in the second half, Juster David's left-footed volley shot hit the crossbar. Texas representative Molly McMillan volleyed the rebound with her left foot, but the shot went wide.
The Eagles got some shine from freshman Mia Corona, but she played in only her second game due to injury. They also received two-way contributions from senior Charlotte Memory, junior Emma Newman and sophomore Cora Frye.
Bull again claimed the team played better than last season while finishing second in the nation.
“Overall, this year was better than last year in terms of play and possession dominance,” he said. “We didn't have anything like that last year. It's a weird feeling.”
Santa Margarita and Santiago could meet again in the regional tournament next week. The CIF state is scheduled to announce the drawing on Sunday.
